By For The Times Herald, Press release from Lower Providence Historical Society

Monday, November 12, 2012

LOWER PROVIDENCE — The Lower Providence Historical Society was founded and informally established in 1997; it was incorporated Feb. 12, 2001 and established as a 501C3. One of its major projects is the stabilization and preservation of the historic Casselberry House located in the Evansburg section of the township.

Doug Hager, President of the Lower Providence Historical Society said the Casselberry House is owned by the township and the Lower Providence Historical Society entered into an agreement with the township to restore and maintain the Casselberry house so the Society may use it as their headquarters and meetings site.

The house is historically important to the township due to its age, architecture and structural changes by the Casselberry family who owned the house for over 150 years. The core of the house was built in 1734. There were five additions to the house reflecting the changing needs of its inhabitants. The Casselberry family was a locally prominent family throughout the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. One of the significant events that occurred at the house was the visit of George Washington during the encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge.

Given the age of the structure there are many immediate needs in order to stabilize the house. The Historical Society has done renovations that included stabilizing the foundation, renovating the main front room, replacing the bath room, painting the exterior trim, replacing windows, repairing the floors on the first floor, replacing and upgrading the electrical and plumbing among a number of other maintenance items. There are still many other areas of restoration and preservation that need to be completed. To this they are holding a fundraiser for this purpose.

On Nov. 17, from 8 to 10 a.m., the Lower Providence Historical Society is holding a breakfast fundraiser at Chadwick’s at the Club at Shannondell located at 2750 Egypt Road in Audubon. The breakfast consists of eggs, pancakes, juice, coffee, tea, toast, etc. Tickets are $10 per person and $5 per child under the age of 12. Tickets may be purchased from members of the Lower Providence Historical Society or picked up at Chadwicks restaurant. There will also be flyers placed around the Township including the Library.

They are also asking for sponsors for the event. Gold sponsorship is $500, Silver is $200 and Bronze is $100. Sponsors will be recognized at the breakfast.